Expensive lesson

[John Sharaf]

This type of problem reveals the difference between a real “pro” camera and a “prosumer” one repurposed for professional work. Even with the $1000 repair, you’ll still have spent less than on an more robust professional designed camera like a PDW700 and you’ve learned a “valuable” lesson.

JS

[Daniel Startek]

Yes, but a REAL camera has pro connectors. Can you spell BNC? Are you listening RED? OK, I admit I own an EX3 but the component out is still a flimsy compromise.

[Bob Tompkins]

This is very interesting…so nothing ever breaks on a “pro” camera? Because that certainly WOULD make it worth the extra money.

[Michael Palmer]

“the difference between a real “pro” camera and a “prosumer” one repurposed for professional work.”

John’s statement sounds to me like he is opposed to this side of Sony’s professional XD Cam lineup. I’m sure his client base deserves the upper end cameras he provides, but not all productions need these cameras to produce with.

Yes the XD Cam line has the 700 & 800 leading off the lineup with features like the 2/3 Power HAD Progressive CCD sensor, 4 channels of audio and 4:2:2, 50-Mbps recording capabilities all to an optical (BR) disc. Yes these are awesome cameras and IMO completely over priced.

Before the PMW-350, the EX1 hit the market branding the Cinealta badge, taking a new step forward with professional solid state recording, with a new (yes less expensive) full roster HD 1/2 Cmos progressive sensor that allows for custom picture profile gamma settings, and offering recording from 1-60 fps. IMO this is not crossover camera from the consumer line at all.

IF you asked me Sony is headed down the road with smaller smarter solutions. I wonder how many established professionals have had the opportunity to actually use one of the EX cameras and would it be an insult to their client base to use them?

I don’t want my “Expensive Lesson” to be holding the (700) bag while technology is changing so quickly.

Oh and back on topic I have replaced a few plastic parts on my EX cameras as well, and these are repairs I can afford.

Good Luck
Michael Palmer

[Clint Fleckenstein]

I have to agree that the difference in price range (notice I didn’t call these EX cameras “consumer” or even “prosumer) is things like connectors. I remember when I left the broadcast world and started shooting on Canon XL cameras. Those dinky little Firewire connectors and stuff really disturbed me. One reason why I pull an EX3 off the shelf when I head out instead of an EX1 is for the BNC connectors.

I don’t think it’s so much a function of size, since it’s obvious you can have multiple BNC connectors on these cameras, but a matter of price range. Putting those larger, stronger connectors on these cameras is expensive I suppose. It’s money well spent to avoid having to use a dinky little proprietary cable that looks like it fell out of someone’s Handicam case. In no way does that detract from the capabilities of these cameras, but it does provide an example of what you get for in those more expensive units.

Cf

[Don Greening]

Several years ago I had these headphone adapters made for all my cameras to combat the terribly weak mini-plugs. They’ve saved many a camera connection when shooters walk away from the cameras with their headphones still on their heads, me included.

– Don

Don Greening
Reeltime Videoworks
http://www.reeltimevideoworks.com

[Craig Seeman]

Worse still is when you ask your trustworthy assistant to grab the camera to get a shot while you wrap up some gear . . . still wearing the headphones. I never knew my head could spin like Linda Blair in the Exorcist.

[Michael Palmer]

“One reason why I pull an EX3 off the shelf when I head out instead of an EX1 is for the BNC connectors.”
FYI, They both have HD SDI out with a BNC connector. I like the EX3 for the view finder not the monitor connector.

The EX1 has a HD SDI (BNC) connector. And I would bet the OP hasn’t used it is because he doesn’t have a professional monitor, they are much more expensive. I’m sure the price of these SDI monitors includes a royalty for the SDI technology, this is why HDMI is becoming popular, it is the poor mans uncompressed HD signal.
The EX3 has 4 BNC connectors that include the HD SDI out, Timecode in, Timecode out, and a Genlock.
All of which are provided for multiple camera use. So unless you are actually shooting multiple cameras both cameras are equal in this department of professional (BNC) monitoring.

A good use for this component port would be for an onboard monitor, plenty of onboard monitors used component. Running 3 wire component cables to a client monitor can trip anyone.

Good Luck
Michael Palmer

[Rick Diamond]

My component output got trashed quite a while ago. One yank on the cable is all it took. I’ve decided not to get it repaired because it would just happen again…Not a very robust connector at all. I’m still considering getting a blackmagic design SDI to HDMI adaptor. It’s $500, I think, but would allow me to use the BNC output. Does anyone have experience with this adaptor?

Rick

[Noah Kadner]

That or really wrapping cables carefully and making sure folks don’t go running around near the camera….

Noah

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